I Smile Back

The problem with I Smile Back is that it tells a story we’ve seen dozens of times before.

Sarah Silverman is unimpeachable as Laney, a suburban wife and mother who self-medicates her depression with risky sexual choices and riskier substance abuse – but she’s already played character like this in Take This Waltz, a film that felt far less safe in its depiction of marital despair.

Director Adam Salky tries to compensate for his story’s familiarity by amping up the intensity of Laney’s depravity, but he still pulls back when he needs to push forward. It’s the safest movie about self-destruction you’ll see this year.